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Top Ten: Books From Childhood

22 Friday May 2015

Posted by Jaime in Top Ten

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Books, Lists, Top Ten

In no particular order, the following books are ones that I read in my youth and that can still be found on my lists of favorites:

1.  Lone Wolf Series by Joe Dever

Lone Wolf

When I was a kid, I was obsessed with Choose Your Own Adventure books.  The Lone Wolf series kicked that love up a notch by adding a bit of role-playing to the mix.  I even remember the special trip I took to the local hobby shop in search for 10-sided die.

2.  The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Westing Game

This book blew my mind as a kid to M. Night Shyamalan Sixth Sense proportions.  It was such a cool mystery and unlike anything I had ever read before.

3.  The Forbidden Game Trilogy by L.J. Smith

Forbidden Game

L.J. Smith was one of my go-to authors during my high school years.  Her books always had just the right blend of supernatural and romance to them.  Smith is probably best known for her series The Vampire Diaries, but The Forbidden Game was always my personal favorite.

4.  Remember Me by Christopher Pike

remember me

I first discovered Christopher Pike at my middle school’s book fair.  His books were dark and surprisingly adult and I was instantly hooked.  I truly loved all of his books but Remember Me is the one that sticks out.

5.  Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar

Sideways Stories

I received this book as part of a monthly book club my mom had enrolled me in.  The stories are downright weird and the illustrations are fantastic.  I adore this book so much that I still have my original copy as part of my collection.

6.  Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes

Johnny Tremain

This was another book club selection I received.  I’m kind of ashamed to admit this, but I probably enjoyed this book because I was slightly smitten with the boy on the cover.  As far as historical fiction goes, Johnny Tremain is a great read.

7.  Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

Where the Sidewalk Ends

If this book was checked in at my school library, then it was pretty much a guarantee that I was going to check it out.  This book was something of a sensation among my elementary school peers.  I’m pretty sure it’s because one of the poems had the word “pee” in it.

8.  D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths by Ingri and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire

Book of Greek Myths

In my opinion, this is still one of the best books on Greek Mythology ever made.  It may not be as comprehensive as a college-level Greek Mythology compilation, but it makes up for that with its beautiful illustrations and readability.

9.  Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective by Donald J. Sobol

Encyclopedia Brown

This is the book that made me open up my own detective agency when I was a kid.  I had a drawstring bag with a magnifying glass, a pen and a notepad and I would solve cases for 25 cents apiece.

10.  Choose Your Own Adventure Series by Various Authors

Choose Your Own Adventure

Want to teach your children the importance of the choices they make?  Make them read a Choose Your Own Adventure Book.  Oh, you want to go explore that dark, mysterious cave on yonder?  Guess what?  You’re going to die.

May Anticipation

24 Friday Apr 2015

Posted by Jaime in Lists

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Books, Comics, Lists, Movies, Music, Upcoming, Video Games

May is going to be a big month.  It’s the start of summer blockbuster season and the month of some long-awaited releases.  Here’s just a taste of what I’m most looking forward to.

Video Games

witcher

The Witcher 3:  Wild Hunt (Releases May 19, 2015)

If I disappear for awhile, at least you’ll know what I’m doing.  This game looks both beautiful and massive and I seriously cannot wait to get my hot little hands on a copy of it.  I have it pre-ordered for the Xbox One but could easily be switching now that I have a PS4.

Splatoon

Splatoon (Releases May 29, 2015)

I’m still on the fence about this one.  It definitely looks like tons of fun and my poor WiiU could definitely use some love.  I will have to check out some reviews before I pick it up, though.

Movies

Avengers

Avengers:  Age of Ultron (Releases May 1, 2015)

This movie just screams SUMMER.  I’m not hard to please when it comes to action flicks and I don’t think this one will disappoint.

Board Games

No definite plans to purchase any new board games in May (haha, I have too many already).  Here are a couple that look interesting to me:

Chew

Chew: Cases of the FDA (Expected Release: May 29, 2015)

Based off the comic book of the same, in Chew you play an agent of the FDA whose job is to investigate food related crimes.  Solve cases by recruiting allies, finding clues, and sabotaging your opponents – you have to work quickly before the other players can steal all of your glory.

Cacao

Cacao (Expected Release: May 20, 2015)

A Tile placement game akin to Carcassonne.  In Cacao, you play as a tribal chief who must lead your people to prosperity through the cultivation and trade of, well, cacao obviously.

Books

Walking Dead

The Walking Dead, Vol. 23: Whispers Into Screams by Robert Kirkman (May 12, 2015)

Collects issues #133-#138.

Lois Lane

Lois Lane: Fallout (Lois Lane #1) by Gwenda Bond (May 1, 2015)

The first book in a new YA series that centers around Lois Lane.  I’m pretty excited about this one.  It’s getting good reviews so far and at least it’s something slightly different for the YA genre.

Music

The Desired Effect

Brandon Flowers – The Desired Effect (May 18, 2015)

This will be the second solo album for The Killers’ front man Brandon Flowers.  I have seen The Killers in concert a few times and they’re always pretty amazing.  I enjoyed Brandon Flower’s first solo album and I will definitely be checking this one out.

Kickstarters I’m Digging

13 Monday Apr 2015

Posted by Jaime in Kickstarter

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Board Games, Detroit, Kickstarter, Lists, Point and Click, Video Games

I realize that I’ve been posting about Kickstarter alot lately.  I can’t help it, there are just a ton of cool, shiny things on there right now.  For the record, I have not backed all of the following projects (because I missed out on the Kickstarter for the machine that allows you to print your own money).  I did, however, want to share them with you.  Click on the links for more info!

Train Heist (Ends 4/14/15) – A Co-op train robbery board game.  Need I say more?

Salem (Ends 4/24/15) – Reminds me of the werewolf party game, except with witches.  This game comes packaged in a faux book case, which is definitely awesome.

Best Treehouse Ever (Ends 4/18/15) – It’s a game about building the swankiest tree house.  Plus I have to give my love to all the Kickstarters from Michigan, where I live.

A Chaotic Life (Ends 4/23/15) – Any game where I can destroy somebody’s hopes and dreams is an instant sell for me.  It’s why I play The Sims.

The Evolution Game (Ends 5/24/15) – Beautiful.  Quite possibly the most beautiful artwork I’ve ever seen in a board game.  Cool concept, too!

The Incredible Science Machine (Ends 4/20/15) – Another local Kickstarter.  Detroit, Michigan baby!  They’re trying to create one of the largest domino chain reactions in history.  Sweet!

Posthuman (Ends 4/25/15) – Post apocalyptic survival board game goodness.

Pixel Glory – Pets Expansion (Ends 4/24/15) – 8-bit card game craziness!

Ira (Ends 5/2/15) – Another Detroit Kickstarter.  It’s described as a “surreal point-and click adventure through a mysterious solar system”.  Double win!

Order of the Throne and Roehm to Ruin (Ends 5/3/15) – Point-and-Clickity

Mixtape Massacre (5/8/15) – A board game where you play as a horror movie archetype and try to take out as many people as possible.  Did I mention that it also takes place in the 1980’s?

Hard Day’s Knight (End 5/14/15) – Questing card/dice game oozing with pop culture references.

Tomo Cold Brew Bike (Ends 4/19/15) – Funding a bike cart that will serve cold brew coffee on tap to the Detroit area.

Red Flags (Ends 4/26/15) – Part game akin to Cards Against Humanity.  In this game, however, you select attributes for potential romantic matches for other players.  Worst date wins!

Surviving:  One Month In (Ends 4/27/15) – Another zombie outbreak board game.  I’m loving the retro look too.

Ill Literary (Ends 5/2/15) – Fill-in-the-Blank card game where you finish partial quotes from great literary thinkers with the not so stellar words of egomaniacal, self-absorbed jackwagons

Bill Shakespeare is Dead (Ends 5/9/15) – Another fill-it-in, this one’s with an Elizabethan era twist.

JunKing (Ends 5/9/15) – Family friendly card game about collecting junk.

Cuisine a la Card (Ends 5/10/15) – Deck-building cook off game

The Titans of Gaming Series (Ends 5/30/15) – Back this Kickstarter and you get 9 games created by “titans” of the board game industry for only $16 apiece over a 3 year span of time.

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